The Albiez guide
What regulars know about Albiez-Montrond: waymarked walks, ski hire, village shops, summer activities and the resort's evening events.
Choosing Albiez and your week
The ski area, the big events and what people come here for.
WinterWhich week to choose for skiing in Albiez in 2026-2027
Outside the school holidays, January means fewer people, snow as a rule and lower prices: a week-by-week look at the 2026-2027 season.
All yearAlbiez out of season: what stays open in autumn and spring
In spring and autumn, Albiez becomes a mountain village again: here is what stays open and how to organise a quiet stay.
All yearThe festivals of the Arves valley, sorted by driving time
In the mountains, a village you can see from the balcony may be an hour away by road. Hence the ranking.
SummerTrail de l'Étendard and the Espace Trail des Aiguilles d'Arves
The race route also exists as a permanent waymarked trail: you can run it all summer, without a number.
SummerTradi'Cimes, the traditional festival of Albiez-Montrond
Two festivals in a fortnight in a village of 300 people — and this one costs nothing.
SummerCross Triathlon and Swimrun des Aiguilles d'Arves, at the Albiez lake
Four age brackets, four distances, the same lake — and a race that lasts a day when the week is still yours.
All yearTurin from Albiez: a day out, or the next leg
The first major Italian city sits on the other side of the massif, not at the end of a journey.
SummerPreparing for the Marmotte Granfondo Alpes from Albiez
7,500 places gone in a day. Albiez is not where to sleep on race morning — it is where to spend the week before.
SummerAlbiez, base camp for the great Maurienne passes
You sleep at 1,600 m and descend first: the last climb of the day is the one that takes you home.
SummerCelti'Cimes: the Irish music festival in Albiez
A festival where half the audience comes to learn — and where a participant stays five nights, not one.
WinterSkiing Albiez from the Mollard sector: chairlifts, drag lifts and pistes
The Mollard is the highest of the resort's sectors. Here is which lift to start with, depending on your level.
All yearAlbiez-Montrond with kids: ski kindergarten and childcare
Two childcare options, a sledging run next to the residence and a supervised lake in summer — here is what actually exists.
All yearThe Aiguilles d'Arves, the trio you see from the balcony
"The finest trio in the Alps", said Coolidge. Two ways to get closer to them — one very easy, one not.
Planning your stay
What to book or organise before you come.
WinterDriving to Albiez in winter: tyres, chains, snow socks and road
What the loi Montagne requires in Savoie and how to drive up to the Mollard apartment without trouble, even in the snow.
WinterESF, skis, lift pass: in which order to book in Albiez
ESF lessons first, equipment next, lift pass last: the order that avoids the late-afternoon lesson, the first-morning queue and the full price.
WinterGetting started with ski touring in Albiez: routes, rules and guided outings
Two waymarked routes, one of them right by the apartment, and four ways to learn with a professional.
WinterAlbiez season pass 2026-2027: how many days until it pays off
Half price until 2 December. One week is not enough to pay it off, two are — the maths, families included.
WinterSki hire in Albiez-Montrond: the four shops and how to pay less
Two hire shops 250 m from the apartment, two in the Chef-lieu, and a discount every time you book ahead. Our own choice: Sport 2000 Aux Deux Frères.
- Winter
Ski school in Albiez-Montrond: ESF and private lessons
One trap to avoid: the ski school has two meeting points. From the Mollard, book the Mollard one.
All yearGroceries in Albiez: supermarket, butcher's and delivery
The sensible routine: the big shop in Saint-Jean on the way up, top-ups and Savoyard produce in the village.
During your stay
Activities, outings and good addresses in the village.
WinterSunset Ride in Albiez: riding down the pistes on an e-mountain bike at sunset
On Thursday late afternoons, you ride down the Albiez pistes on an electric mountain bike at sunset, with an instructor, and the outing ends with a Savoyard aperitif.
WinterFree activities in Albiez: a typical week in winter 2026-2027
The tourist office's activity programme, Monday to Friday: almost everything is free, but much of it must be booked before noon.
WinterSnowmobile, igloo and fat bike: guided evening outings in Albiez
Four guided outings at nightfall in Albiez, three of them leaving from the Mollard, a few minutes' walk from the apartment.
All yearSix waymarked walks starting from Albiez-Montrond
From 40 minutes to 3½ hours, six waymarked routes leaving from the village or the Mollard — junction by junction.
All yearLe Moulin Valentin, the bakery of Albiez-Montrond
A bakery whose story starts in 1694 — and a bacon-and-cheese 'pain yéti' that settles the picnic question.
All yearBeaufort des Arves: the cooperative dairy to stock up on cheese
Summer or winter Beaufort is not the same cheese. A shop in Albiez-Montrond, and a raclette grill waiting in the apartment.
- Summer
The Col du Mollard by bike: three climbs and the Arvan-Villards loop
A Tour de France col whose summit is our village. Three ways up, plus a loop linking the Glandon, the Croix de Fer and the Mollard.
WinterHusky sledding in Albiez-Montrond
€45 for adults, €40 for children, leaving from the village — and a booking you should make well before you arrive.
WinterThe Albiez C'Show, Tuesday night on the Mollard snow front
It happens on the Mollard snow front, 250 m from the apartment — and children from 'flocon' level up can join the torchlit descent.
SummerThe Mollard lake: supervised swimming, inflatables and a leisure area
Paddling pool, inflatable play structure, pétanque, volleyball and picnic tables — all three minutes' walk away.
- Summer
The Rival forest, from 1,300 m up to the Col du Mollard
700 metres of forest, mushrooms, waterfalls — and deer you can hear rutting in the autumn.
SummerLe Chalet d'la Croë, a refuge at 2,076 m below the Aiguilles d'Arves
A crêpe or a raclette mid-hike, and geodesic domes to sleep under the alpine night sky.
SummerLe Kavalkada: horse and pony rides 300 m from the apartment
From a half-hour pony ride around the Châtel to a half-day trek across the Cochette meadows.
SummerA mountain BMX track and e-bike hire in Albiez
A freely accessible BMX race track, ringed by football, basketball and tennis courts and a picnic area.